For 2012, DeWitt presents its third rendition of the Twenty-8-Eight Skeleton Tourbillon.

This year, Montres DeWitt showcases its independence and expertise with its first manufacture movement, the DW8028 calibre in steel and yellow gold. Comprising 185 parts and fully skeletonised, the Twenty-8-Eight Skeleton Tourbillon features a sculpted 43 mm round case made in 18-carat rose gold (white gold for the Haute Joaillerie version). A triple feat of a skeleton manufacture movement, masterful aesthetics, and the architecture as a whole. The entire composition is revealed in a 43 mm x 10.78 18-carat gold case.

Jérôme de Witt, President of Montres DeWitt

Twenty-8-Eight Tourbillon Squelette, Ref. T8.TH.008

The Manufacture DeWitt Calibre DW8028

The DeWitt Calibre DW8028 uses conventionally recognised technical parameters in its construction: 18’000 A/h, a variable-inertia balance, a 44° angle escapement and 72 hours power reserve. Entirely produced in-house, this manually wound Tourbillon is equipped with a Swiss anchor escapement and a Straumann Hairspring with Phillips terminal curve made out of an unbreakable, self-compensating, non-oxidising, anti-magnetic alloy and sequenced at 2.5 Hz. The perfect homogeneity and incredibly precise flat rolling of the Hairspring (0,0001 mm) guarantee an extremely high precision to the mechanism. The balance, as well as the escape wheel and the anchor are made of 18-carat yellow gold.

The Twenty-8-Eight Skeleton Tourbillon does not intend to compete with the ultra-skinny and fragile skeletons where as much material as possible was taken out of the construction. The architecture of DeWitt’s skeleton remains deliberately strong with the design of the case sculpted with 48 imperial columns, a signature motif of practically all DeWitt masterpieces.

The imperial columns have both design and historical significance since Jerome DeWitt, the founder of Montres DeWitt, is the great-grandson of King Leopold II of Belgium and a direct, fifth-generation descendant of the Emperor Napoleon's brother, King Jérôme of Westphalia.

The carved-out main plate, a sand-brushed nickel silver base with black gold surface finishing and a yellow gold inscription of the calibre reference, is a marvellous labyrinth of curves, circles and straight lines. Meandering across the movement, the lucky observer will suddenly land on a stunning skeletonised “W” logo positioned at 9 o’clock. The play on depths, perspectives and layers is a typical feature of DeWitt designs and the Twenty-8-Eight Skeleton Tourbillon is no exception. The skeletonised “W” logo is actually duplicated on the lower part of the movement in order to offer these interesting volumes when admiring the movement from either side of the watch.

But however robust the foundations, your eyes will inevitably be dragged deep into the movement and the captivating finesse of its ticking mechanics. You will marvel at the Tourbillon as it gracefully rotates on its axis, held in place by a long, slender and circular-grained Art Déco bridge.

The barrel, positioned at 12 o’clock, is also skeletonised in order to reveal the interior of the motor.

The shape given to the open-worked barrel was inspired by the design of vintage car steering wheels. As the barrel wheel gently turns with the unwinding of the spring, the stems of the upper part will glide over the stems of the lower part. Yet another interesting play on layers by DeWitt.